Breakwaters



April 16, 1963 Filed Dec. 23, 1959 A. L. SMITH 3,085,404

BREAKWATERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 A/anzo L Jm/ffi INVENTOR.

April 1963 A. L. SMITH 3,085,404

BREAKWATERS Filed Dec. 25, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A/onzo A. Jm/zfiINVENTOR.

#m mfmzz A. L. SMITH BREAKWATERS A ril 16, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledDec. 25, 1959 b D D ,4/0/7 0 l. J/77/ffi INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY) 3,085,464 BREAKWATERS Alonzo L. Smith, R0. Box 6252, Houston,Tex. Filed Dec. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 861,584 11 Claims. (Cl. 615) Thisinvention relates to breakwater, and more particularly to aprefabricated, mobile, collapsible breakwater.

A considerable amount of underwater work is being done from platformsand vessels which are alfected by wave action of the open seas.Generally, the equipment used in this type of work involves a tremendousinvestment and a substantial crew in its operation. When the seas areheavy this work must be stopped and the equipment and crews placed on astandby basis until the seas calm sufficiently to permit the work toprogress.

For instance, exposed dredging work along the east coast of the UnitedStates is usually possible only when the waves are no more than fourfeet in height. When the waves are higher, the vessel and crew must beplaced on standby. This means that work in the open seas of this naturecan be carried on only about one-half of each year.

Many types of anchored breakwaters are taught in issued patents, but sofar as known none are satisfactory for use in protecting work areas asthe breakwater must be sunk and raised periodically, and none are beingused for this purpose today.

By this invention there is provided a movable breakwater which meets allof the requirements of offshore contractors to permit them to work inmuch higher seas. The breakwater is collapsible for use in transportingby ships. It is towable and buoyant to permit its being moved from placeto place on the job. No fill of solid material, such as rocks, sand,etc., is required to hold it in place. This is a particular advantage onjobs where the work area shifts quickly, such as in dredging. Thebreakwater is self-anchoring, and the force exerted by the waves is inpart utilized to anchor the breakwater in place. Therefore, theincreased force exerted by large waves provides an increased force foranchoring the breakwater in place. The breakwater may be set up andmoved on the surface without the need of divers.

'It is an object of this invention toprovide a breakwater which iseasily collapsible for transporting and which is towable in collapsedcondition for any distances.

Another object is to provide a breakwater which is launchable fromanother vessel.

Another object is to provide a breakwater which may be erected orcollapsed in a body of water by men on the surface using a minimum ofrigging and manpower and without the need for divers, or rock and sandfill to hold same on bottom.

Another object is to provide a collapsible breakwater which utilizes theweight of waves to be dissipated to oppose the impact force tendency ofthe waves to shift the breakwater.

Another object is to provide a breakwater which dissipates below surfacewater movement but perm-its back flow of current through the structurebelow the surface to relieve any opposing motion or undertow of watermovement.

Another object is to provide a collapsible breakwater in which thebreakwater may be set up and sunk and raised in a body of waterutilizing primary buoyancy forces so that large cranes and the like arenot required.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the weight of the seawaterwave mass above sea level on a collapsible inclined wall to offset thelateral forces of the wave mass in preventing movement of the inclinedwall structure on the ocean floor.

States atent Other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill appear from the specification, the drawings and the claims.

In the drawings, wherein illustrative embodiments of this invention areshown, and wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a breakwater constructed in accordancewith this invention in collapsed condition;

FIGURE 2 is a side View of the breakwater of FIG- URE l in collapsedcondition;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the breakwater of FIG- URE 1 partiallyerected;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the breakwater in itsfinal erected position;

FIGURE 5 is a top view of the breakwater of FIG- URE 1 with parts cutaway for purposes of illustration;

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the breakwater of FIG- URE 1,-

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating details of the pivotalconnection between the supporting legs and base;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating the manner in which thesupporting legs are pinned to the base when the breakwater is incollapsed condition;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view of the breakwater of FIGURE 1illustrating the details of the anchor pins which assist in anchoringthe breakwater in position; and

FIGURE 10 is a side view of a modified form of .this invention.

The breakwater is made up generally of a base which includes the buoyantsection indicated generally at 10 and the ramp section indicatedgenerally at 11 with one end of the base swingable to rest on the floorof the ocean while the other end of the base is supported on a pluralityof legs 12 as shown in FIGURE 4. These legs are pivotally secured to thebase and swingable from an upright position as shown in FIGURE 4 to thenon-upright position shown in FIGURE 2 for transporting. The rampsection 11 extends upwardly from the buoyant section 10 and projectsabove the surface of the water when the breakwater is erected as shownin FIGURE 4. The angle of the ramp is preferably between approximately30 and 45 with the horizontal, and more preferably 30 with thehorizontal when the breakwater is erected. With this arrangement thestatic weight of the water above sea level as it climbs the ramp exertsa downward force tending to hold the ramp in place which is at least asgreat as the horizontal component of force exerted by the waves. Ofcourse, the ramp could be at an angle slightly greater than 45 if theweight of the structure would permit, but the smaller angle ispreferred.

Preferably the buoyant section 10 is made up of a plurality of pipes 13joined together at their opposite ends by headers 14 and 15. By way ofexample, these pipes may be 36 inches in diameter and 140 feet inlength. The headers 14 and 15 likewise may be provided by 36-inch pipeand may be on the order of feet in length for a breakwater employingpipes 13 having a length dimension of feet. The pipes 13 may be suitablybraced at spaced points as by the members 16. The entire buoyant sectionis preferably closed to provide buoyant support for the breakwater, andthe connection between the several pipes should be carefully made toprovide watertight seals. While a rectangular form is preferred, it isof course apparent that other shapes of the breakwater might beemployed.

For ease in controlling the raising and lowering of one end of thebreakwater, it is preferred that each header be provided with a dividerat approximately its mid-point, as shown at 17 in FIGURE 5 in header 14.Header 15 erecting drilling platformsinthe open seas.

3 is divided into two pieces in like manner with the dividing plateunderlying the central leg 12.

Suitable valve openings are provided in the buoyant section of the basefor the admission and release of liquid and gas, preferably air andwater, to control the sinking and raising of one end of the breakwater.For instance, valved openings indicated at 18 and 19 may be provided onthe outboard pipes 13 adjacent header 14 and valved openings and 21 maybe provided in header 15. By admitting water into the breakwater throughvalves 18 and 19 and letting air escape through valves 20 and 21, theanchor end, that is, the end including header 14, of the breakwater maybe lowered to the floor of the ocean. By introducing air through valves20 and 21 and expelling water through valves 18 and 19, the breakwatermay be floated.

The surface end of the buoyant section, that is, the end includingheader 15, should remain at the surface and for this purpose issupported on legs 12 which may be provided by 36-inch hollow pipe havinga length of approximately 65 feet for a breakwater having the dimensionsgiven above. For portability these legs are pivoted to the base.Preferably they are pivoted to buoyant section 10 as illustrated. Thepoint of pivot between the base and the support columns should beadjacent the highest point of ramp 11 to avoid any tendency of theweight of water on the ramp to cause the base to seesaw about the pivot.For this reason the pivot point is preferably adjacent the surface endof the breakwater as shown.

In the preferred form a tubular member is pivoted to the base and thelegs are carried in the tubular member and latchable in selectedpositions therein. Preferably the tubular member is a split sleeve22supported on pivot pins 23 and 24 which are mounted in suitablesupport structure 25 carried by the base. The inner diameter of thesplit sleeve is less than the outer diameter of the legs 12 and the legs12 may be selectively clamped in position in the sleeves by tighteningup the sleeve bolts 26.

It is preferred to latch the legs against rotation about their pivotswhen the breakwater is erected, and for this purpose each sleeve isprovided with an ear 27 which may be secured to an ear 28 carried by thebase by a pin 29 passing through hole 30 in ear 27 and one of aplurality of holes 31 in ear 28. To avoid any possibility of rocking ofthe columns about their pivots which might fatigue the pin 29, asnubbing bolt 32 is provided in a threaded member 33 carried by thebase. After pin 29 is in place, the bolt 32 may be projected to bind pin29 between ears 27 and 28.

In order to swing the legs 12 between upright and nonupright positionwith buoyancy forces, each leg is provided with a hole 34 adjacent itsfree end and a valved opening 35 at the top of each leg. For purposeswhich will appear belowfa stop 36 is provided on each leg.

When in collapsed position the legs '12 desirably nestle in the base andmay be secured thereto by pinning the ear 37 on the lower end of eachleg to similarears 38 carried by the base.

It .will be apparent that suitable jacks might be associated with thebase and column to jack the base upwardly on the column in the wellknown manner employed in However, it is preferred to avoidthe necessityof using jacks and to permit the surface .end of the buoyant section of.the base to remain at substantially normalwater level. Therefore, theramp 11 is not constructed to extend parallel to the buoyant sectionofthe base but extends upwardly from a point on the buoyant section of thebase toward the surface end of the buoyant section 10. The ramp 11 maybe supported on the buoyant section 10- by any suitable structural meanssuch as shown generally at 39. As the weight of the waves climbing ramp12 is utilized in holding the breakwater imposition, the ramp should besubstantially impervious. As .noted above, it preferably forms an angleof 30 with the horizontal. The angle could of course be as high as about45 and still utilize the weight of the water to substantially overcomethe lateral force of the water. An angle less than 30 might be employed,but this would necessitate unduly long breakwaters which would increasetheir cost of fabrication. Economy of construction and stability of thebreakwater indicate that an angle of about 30 is preferable.

If the wave action below water is not dissipated, secondary waves willbe formed beyond the breakwater. For this reason, the entire base ispreferably constructed to dissipate wave action below the surface. Thismay easily be accomplished by filling the spaces between adjacent pipes13 as with the plates 40. While these plates could extend from the rampto the anchor end of the base, they preferably only eXtendpart way and acheck valve, best illustrated in FIGURE 4, is employed to cover theremainder of the base. This check valve dissipates wave action in aclosed position, but opens to permit reverse currents, such as undertow,to pass through the base. The check valve may be a large plate member 41suitably reinforced by members 42 and hinged to the base by a pluralityof hinges 43.

Immediately adjacent header 14 at the anchor end of the breakwater, andpreferably between each pair of pipes 13, there is provided anchor pinsfor assisting in anchoring the breakwater in place. An elongate squarebox 44 is secured to the base and extends therethrough. An anchorprovided by an I beam 45 is pinned in the box by a pair of pins 46 whichextend through the box and the I beam to hold the I beam anchor inraised position. Before the breakwater is positioned on the ocean floorthe pins 46 are released and the pin dropped to de pend below the base.The pins are then re-inserted in the holes 47 near the upper end of theanchors to hold the anchors in depended position.

In FIGURE 10 a modified form is shown which is identical with thepreviously explained form of the invention except that a tank 48 isprovided in the space between the buoyant portion of the base and theramp portion of the base. The tank should be so positioned as to beabove normal water level. If desired, suitable valve controlled openings40 and 50 may be provided for filling and emptying the tank. Also, theramp may be provided with one or more openings 51 above the tank topermit water climbing the ramp to fall into the tank.

in operation, the breakwater may, for instance, be positioned on dollieson board a ship or barge with the rails for the dollies inclinedrelative to the horizontal and terminating at the edge of the vessel.The breakwater in collapsed form as shown in FIGURE 2, for instance, islashed to the deck on the dollies. When the breakwater arrives at thedesired location, the straps may be removed and a tug employed to pullthe breakwater off of the vessel. In the alternative, the breakwater maybe launched at its assembly point and towed to the desired location.

In positioning the breakwater for protecting off-shore work, the columnsare first released from their nestled position by removing pin 52(FIGURE 8) to permit the columns to swing about their pivot. The valve35 (FIGURE 7) on the top of each column is opened to permit the hollowcolumn to fill with water through hole 34 and swing to the uprightposition shown in FIGURE 3. As the split sleeve 22 is tight about thecolumns, they will remain in this position.

The anchors 45 are then dropped by pulling pins 46 and re-inserting themin holes 47. This step is also shown in FIGURE 3. Then the valves 18 and19 are opened and the workmen move to the supported end of thebreakwater. During this time the breakwater willbe held in position, ofcourse, by tugs. Now the valves 2%! and 21 are opened to permit water toenter the buoyant section of the base through valves 18 and 19. Thispermits the anchor end of the base to slowly settle to the positionshown in FIGURE 4, and as soonas the anchor end of the base is on bottomthe valves 20 and 21 are closed to maintain the supported end of thebase buoyant. At this time the support legs 12 are not on bottom andtherefore the screws 26 of the split sleeve are loosened to permit thelegs 12 to drop and rest on bottom, as shown in FIGURE 10. At any timebefore the legs are dropped the pin 29 (FIGURE 7) is inserted throughholes 30 and 31 to lock the split sleeve and legs against movement aboutthe pivot, if desired. As above explained, the member 32 may be run upto bind the pin 29 in place and prevent fatigue of the pin due to anyrocking of the column about its pivot.

As the column is resting on bottom, the split sleeve bolts 26 are againtightened to fix the position of the columns 12 therein so that thecolumns may support the surface end of the breakwater. At this time thevalves 20 and 21 are again opened to permit substantially the entirebuoyant section of the base to fill with water so that the entire weightof the breakwater will be effective in holding the breakwater in place.

If the breakwater is supported on soft bottom, the entire weight of thebreakwater may tend to drive the columns down into the bottom. If thisoccurs, or if at a later date the action of waves on the ramp 11 tendsto drive the column into the bottom, the buoyant section may be raisedto the position shown in FIGURE 4 crnerely by introducing air throughvalves 20 and 21 to make the surface end of the breakwater buoyant andloosen the bolts 26 of the split sleeve. As the bolts 26 are loosenedthe surface end of the breakwater will ascend along the column and thebolts may again be run up tight and the water permitted to again fillthe buoyant section of the base. FIGURE 4 depicts the condition of thestructure at this time.

In the event of high waves as suggested in FIGURE 1.0, the breakwaterwill function to break up the waves l and provide a calm area for work.As the angle of the ramp is such that the weight of the water exerts aforce which coupled with the weight of the breakwater is greater thanthe horizontal force of the waves, the breakwater will remain inposition. 'Preferably the ramp extends above the surface of the water asuflicient distance to be higher than the waves. However, if a smallamount of the wave does flow over the top, it will not result in theformation of secondary waves. If reverse currents or undertows areformed in the area, the check valve 41 will open to permit thesecurrents to flow through the breakwater and they will not have atendency to shift the position of the breakwater.

Where the FIGURE form of the invention is used, water may be introducedthrough valve 50 or may be permitted to flow into the tank throughopenings 51. Of course, before the structure is collapsed valve 49 willbe opened to drain this tank.

After the need for the breakwater in the particular location has ceased,it may be'readily towed to a new location. For instance, in dredging anumber of breakwaters might be positioned side by side and, as thedredge moves along, the trailing breakwater floated and shifted to theother end of the group of breakwaters, as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art.

In collapsing or floating the breakwater air is introduced into valvesand 21 to drive the water from the buoyant section of the base and fioatit to the position shown in FIGURE 3. As the anchor end of thebreakwater comes to the surface, valves 18 and 19 are closed and thenvalves 20 and 21 may be closed. Air pressure is then applied through thevalved openings 35 in the top of the columns 1% to make the columnsbuoyant. Upon releasing bolts 26, the columns rise until the stop 36strikes the split sleeve and the structure is in the position shown inFIGURE 3. At this time the bolts 26 are again tightened to latch thecolumns in raised position in the split sleeves. The pin 29 may then beremoved and additional air applied through the opening 35 to render theentire column 12 buoyant. As the buoyancy of the columns increases,

their free ends will rise under the breakwater and they may again besecured in nestle-d position with the pins. Thereafter the breakwatermay be towed to a new location and again supported on bottom.

From the above it will be seen that all of the object-s of thisinvent-ion have been obtained. The breakwater supplied is one which willremain in position no matter what the sea conditions, as the lateralforce of angry seas will be fully compensated by the downward force ofthe waves climbing the ramp 11.

All that is needed to collapse or extend the structure is a source ofair pressure and a few workmen to handle the valves and pins. The numberof workmen will depend on how fast it is desired to collapse or extend.the structure. It is collapsible for ease in transporting and mayeasily be launched from a vessel. In erecting or collapsing there is noneed for divers as all manipulations may be carried on at the surface.

The breakwater dissipates both the surface wave action and below surfacewave action, but permits back flow of current below the surface.

It will be noted that only a portion of the buoyant section of the baseis on bottom, thus reducing the amount of structure required as comparedto a comparable structure with the entire base resting on bottom. Thispermits the buoyant section of the base to form part of the wavedissipating means.

While the support columns are pivoted to the buoyant section of thebase, it is, of course, apparent that they may be pivoted to the rampsection of the base. The ramp section of the base is shown extendingabove the buoyant section of the base, but it is apparent that the ramp11 might be parallel with the base by the provision of conven-tionaljacking means for jacking the base up along the columns -12.

Separated columns may also be attached to the breakwater structurewithout pivots to support the surface side of the 'base structure onbottom, in keeping with the invention of utilizing the weight of seawater wave mass above sea level on a collapsible structure to offset thelateral forces of the wave in preventing movement of the structure onbottom.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention isillustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size,shape and materials, as well as in the details of .the illustratedconstruction, may be made within the scope of the appended claim-swithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A breakwater adapted to be positioned in a body of water comprising,a base having a closed buoyant section, valve means associated with thebuoyant section of the base for the admission and release of liquid andgas to sink and float a first end of the buoyant section, said basehaving a substantially impervious ramp section secured to the top ofsaid buoyant section adjacent the opposite end of the buoyant section,and a plurality of support legs pivotally secured to the base adjacentsaid opposite end of the buoyant section and swingable from an uprightposition for supporting the base to a non-upright position fortransporting, the angle of inclination of said ramp section relative tothe horizontal with the breakwater supported on said legs and said firstend in a body of water being small enough that the downward force of theweight of the breakwater and the weight of the waves on the ramp sectionis greater than the horizontal force exerted by the waves on thebreakwater, said ramp section extending upwardly to a point above thesurface of the water when the breakwater is supported on the bed of abody of water.

2. A breakwater adapted to be positioned in a body of water comprising,a base having a closed buoyant section, valve means associated with thebuoyant section of the base for admission and release of liquid and gasto sink and float a first end of the buoyant section, said base having asubstantially impervious ramp section secured to the top of said buoyantsection and extending upwardly from a point on said buoyant sectiontoward the opposite end of the buoyant section, and a plurality ofsupport legs pivotally secured to the base adjacentsaid opposite end ofthe buoyant section and swingable from an upright position forsupporting the base to a nonupright position for transporting.

3. A breakwater adapted to be position in a body of water comprising, abase having a closed buoyant section, valve means associated with thebuoyant section of the base for admission and release of liquid and gasto sink and float a first end of the buoyant section, said base having asubstantially impervious ramp section secured to the top of said buoyantsection and extending upwardly from a point on said buoyant sectiontoward the opposite end of the buoyant section, and a plurality ofsupport legs pivotally secured to the base adjacent said opposite end ofthe buoyant section and swingable from an upright position forsupporting the base to a non-upright position for transporting, theangle of inclination of said ramp section relative to the horizontalwith the breakwater supported on said legs and said first end in a bodyof water being small enough that the downward force of the weight of thebreakwater and the weight of the waves on the ramp section is greaterthan the horizontal force exerted by the waves on the breakwater.

4. A breakwater adapted to be positioned in a body of water comprising,a base having a closed buoyant section, valve means associated with thebuoyant section of the base for admission and release of liquid and gasto sink and float a first end of the buoyant section, said base having asubstantially impervious ramp section secured to the top of said buoyantsection and extending upwardly from a point on said buoyant sectiontoward the opposite end of the buoyant section, and a plurality ofsupport legs pivotally secured to the base adjacent said opposite end ofthe buoyant section and swingable from an upright position forsupporting the base to a non-upright position for transporting, theangle of inclination of said ramp section relative to the horizontalwith the breakwater supported on said legs and said first end in a bodyof water being small enough that the downward force of the weight of thebreakwater and the weight of the waves on the ramp section is greaterthan the horizontal force exerted by the waves on the breakwater, saidramp section extending upwardly to a point above the waves to bedissipated when the breakwater is positioned in a body of water.

5. A breakwater adapted to be positioned in a body of water comprising,a base having a closed buoyant section, valve means associated with thebuoyant section of the base for admission and release of liquid and gasto sink and float a first end of the buoyant section, said base having asubstantially impervious ramp section secured to the top of said buoyantsection and extending upwardly from a point on said buoyant sectiontoward the opposite end of the buoyant section, and a plurality ofsupport legs pivotally secured to the base adjacent said opposite end ofthe buoyant section and swingable from an upright position forsupporting the base to a non-upright position for transporting, theangle of inclination of said ramp section relative to the horizontalwith the breakwater supported on said legs and said first end in a bodyof water being small enough that the downward force of the weight of thebreakwater and the weight of the waves on the ramp section is greaterthan the horizontal force exerted by the waves on the breakwater, and acheck valve on said buoyant section controlling flow through the buoyantsection of the base below water and closing to dissipate wave action andopening to permit the passage of sub-surface currents flowing in adirection opposed to the direction of movement of the waves.

6. A breakwater adapted to be positioned in a body of water comprising,a base having a closed buoyant section, valve means associated with thebuoyant section of the base for admission and release of liquid and gasto sink and float a first end of the buoyant section, said base having'asubstantially-impervious ramp section secured to the top of said buoyantsection and extending upwardly from a point on said buoyant sectiontoward the opposite end of the buoyant section, and a plurality ofsupport legs pivotally secured to the base adjacent said opposite end ofthe buoyant section and swingable from an upright position forsupporting the base to a non-upright position for transporting, saidramp section being inclined at an angle of approximately 30 relative tothe horizontal with the breakwater supported on said legs and said firstend in a body of water.

7. A breakwater adapted to be positioned in a body of water comprising,a base having a closed buoyant section, valve means associated with thebuoyant section of the base for admission and release of liquid and gasto sink and float a first end of the buoyant section, said base having asubstantially impervious ramp section secured to the top of said buoyantsection and extending upwardly from a point on said buoyant sectiontoward the opposite end of the buoyant section, and a plurality ofsupport legs pivotally secured to the base adjacent said opposite end ofthe buoyant section and swingable from an upright position forsupporting the base to a non-upright position for transporting, each ofsaid legs being hollow and having openings adjacent their bottoms andtops, the angle of inclination of said ramp section relative to thehorizontal with the breakwater supported on said legs and said first endin a body of water being small enough that the downward force of theweight of the breakwater and the weight of the waves on the ramp sectionis greater than the horizontal force exerted by the waves.

8. A breakwater adapted to be positioned in a body of water comprising,a base having a closed buoyant section, valve means associated with thebuoyant section of the base for admission and release of liquid and gasto sink and float a first end of the buoyant section, said base having asubstantially impervious ramp section secured to the top of said buoyantsection and extending upwardly from a point on said buoyant sectiontoward the opposite end of the buoyant section, a plurality of supportlegs pivotally secured to the base adjacent said opposite end of thebuoyant section and swingable from an upright position for supportingthe base to a non-upright position for transporting, the angle ofinclination of said ramp section relative to the horizontal with thebreakwater supported on said legs and said first end in a body of waterbeing small enough that the downward force of the weight of thebreakwater and the weight of the waves on the ramp section is greaterthan the horizontal force exerted by the waves on the breakwater, and atank provided between the buoyant and ramp sections of the base abovethe normal water line of the breakwater when in position in a body ofwater.

9. 'A breakwater adapted to be positioned in B. body of watercomprising, a base having a closed buoyant section, valve meansassociated with the buoyant section of the base for the admission andrelease of liquid and gas to sink and float a first end of the buoyantsection, said base having a substantially impervious ramp sectionsecured to the top of said buoyant section and extending upwardly from apoint on said buoyant section toward the opposite end of the buoyantsection, a plurality of tubular supports pivotally secured to the baseadjacent said opposite end of the buoyant section and swingable from anupright position to a non-upright position, a hollow leg in each tubularsupport for supporting said opposite end of the buoyant section, andmeans on the tubular support for releasably securing the legs in thesupports at selected positions, the angle of inclination of said rampsection relative to the horizontal with the breakwater supported on saidlegs and said first end in a body of water being small enough that thedownward force of the weight of the breakwater and the weight of thewaves on the ramp seotion is greater than the horizontal force exertedby the waves on the breakwater.

10. The breakwater of claim 9 wherein means is provided on the base forlocking. each leg in an upright posi-tion.

11. A breakwater adapted to be positioned in a body of water comprising,a base having a closed buoyant section, valve means associated with thebuoyant section of the base for admission and release of liquid and gasto sink and float a first end of the buoyant section, said base having asubstantially impervious ramp section secured to the top of said buoyantsection and extending above normal sea level when the breakwater ispositioned on the floor of the ocean, means covering the remainder ofthe top of the breakwater and preventing water move ment through thebase in a direction from said first end toward the other end of thebase, and a plurality of support legs secured to said other end of thebuoyant section and supporting said other end with the ramp sectionproject- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS 174,692 Mallory Mar. 14, 1876 799,708 Boyce Sept. 19, 1905939,878 Urie Nov. 9, 1909 2,584,867 Guarin Feb. 5, 1952 2,658,353 TrexelNov. 10, 1953 2,928,250 Smith Mar. 15, 1960 2,967,398 Smith Jan. 10,1961

2. A BREAKWATER ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED IN A BODY OF WATER COMPRISING,A BASE HAVING A CLOSED BUOYANT SECTION OF THE BASE FOR ADMISSION ANDRELEASE OF LIQUID AND GAS TO SINK AND FLOAT A FIRST END OF THE BUOYANTSECTION, SAID BASE HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY IMPERVIOUS RAMP SECTIONSECURED TO THE TOP OF SAID BUOYANT SECTION AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM APOINT ON SAID BUOYANT SECTION TOWARD THE OPPOSITE END OF THE BUOYANTSECTION, AND A PLURALITY OF SUPPORT LEGS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO THE BASEADJACENT SAID OPPOSITE END OF THE BUOYANT SECTION AND SWINGABLE FROM ANUPRIGHT POSITION FOR SUPPORTING THE BASE TO A NONUPRIGHT POSITION FORTRANSPORTING.